A 2023 survey reveals persistently high rates of orthopedic injuries and cancer among interventional cardiologists, highlighting the urgent need for improved radiation protection and ergonomic practices.
Background: The demands and hazards of working in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) are well-represented in the literature and include radiation exposure, orthopedic injuries, and physical and psychological stress. This analysis aimed to compare occupational hazards in the CCL between 2014 and 2023, focusing on orthopedic injuries, cancer diagnoses, and pregnancy-related issues. Methods: Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions members were invited to complete an online survey regarding occupational hazards in the CCL from May to August 2023. This survey included questions about demographics, caseload, self-reported injuries, malignancies, radiation and orthopedic protection, and pregnancy. Results: The 2023 survey had an 8% response rate and included 296 respondents (91% interventional cardiologists, 7% fellows-in-training, and 2% interventional echocardiographers or invasive noninterventional cardiologists). The majority of respondents were men (83%), 30 to 50 years old (61%), and in practice for 5 to 15 years (39%). The 2023 survey reported orthopedic injuries and lifetime cancer in 59.8% and 6.1% of respondents, respectively, vs 49.4% and 4.5% reported in the 2014 survey. Among women respondents, 28% reported being discouraged from working in the CCL due to pregnancy or considering pregnancy, and 71% wanted the option to step away from the CCL during pregnancy. Conclusions: A high prevalence of orthopedic injuries and cancer diagnoses was reported in a 2023 survey of Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions members working in the CCL. It is imperative to promote the widespread use of radiation protective gear to decrease radiation exposure and encourage utilization of newer radiation protection systems that can minimize the use of lead aprons, a major contributor to orthopedic injuries. Attention to effective measures for the safety of CCL personnel is a critically important goal in interventional cardiology.
Abudayyeh et al. (Tue,) studied this question.